Continuous intelligent-control-system update using information requests directed to user devices

ABSTRACT

An intelligent control system includes intelligent thermostats and controls an environment, such as a residential living space, commercial building, or another environment. The intelligent control system obtains information related to the controlled environment by collecting sensor data, obtaining data from users during interactive information-exchange sessions, and by directing information queries to users on one or more user devices.

FIELD

The current patent relates to intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVACsystems and other intelligently controlled environment-conditioningsystems and, in particular, to intelligently controlledenvironment-conditioning systems that continuously adapt to changingenvironments and refine computational models by acquiring informationfrom users.

BACKGROUND

While substantial effort and attention continues toward the developmentof newer and more sustainable energy supplies, the conservation ofenergy by increased energy efficiency remains crucial to the world'senergy future. Along with improvements in the physical plant associatedwith home heating and cooling, including improvements in insulation,higher efficiency furnaces, and in other such improvements, substantialincreases in energy efficiency can be achieved by better control andregulation of home heating and cooling equipment. By efficientlycontrolling operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) equipment, substantial energy can be saved.

Many currently available HVAC thermostatic control systems can becharacterized as belonging to one of two categories: (1) a firstcategory that includes many simple, non-programmable home thermostats,each typically consisting of a single mechanical or electrical dial forsetting a desired temperature and a single HEAT-FAN-OFF-AC switch; and(2) a second category that includes many programmable thermostats, whichhave become more prevalent in recent years and which feature manydifferent HVAC-system settings that can be individually manipulated.While being easy to use for even the most unsophisticated occupant,thermostats of the first category are performed manually by the user. Asa result, substantial energy-saving opportunities are often missed forall but the most vigilant users. Moreover, advanced energy-savingsettings are not generally provided, including an ability to specify acustom temperature swing, the difference between the desired settemperature and actual current temperature that triggers activation ofthe heating/cooling unit. Users of thermostats of the second categoryare often intimidated by a large number of switches and controls, andtherefore seldom adjust the manufacturer defaults to optimize their ownenergy usage despite the fact that these thermostats are capable ofoperating HVAC equipment with energy-saving profiles. Indeed, in anunfortunately large number of cases, a home user may permanently operatethe unit in a “temporary” or “hold” mode, manually manipulating thedisplayed set temperature as if the unit were a thermostat of the firstcategory.

SUMMARY

The current application discusses intelligent control systems thatinclude a programmable device, generally an intelligent thermostat, forlocally controlling an HVAC system. The intelligent thermostat includeshigh-power-consuming circuitry that performs, while in an active state,a number of high power activities, including operating wirelesscommunications, driving display circuitry, displaying graphicalinformation to a user, and performing calculations relating to learning.The high-power consuming circuitry uses substantially less power whilein an INACTIVE, or SLEEP, state that when in the ACTIVE state. Theintelligent thermostat also includes low-power-consuming circuitry toperform a number of low power activities, including: transitioning thehigh-power circuitry from the INACTIVE state to the ACTIVE state;polling sensors, including temperature and occupancy sensors; andswitching HVAC functions between ON and OFF states. The intelligentthermostat also includes power-stealing circuitry that harvests powerfrom an HVAC-triggering circuit and a power-storage medium, such as arechargeable battery, that stores power harvested by the power-stealingcircuitry for use by other intelligent-thermostat circuitry, includingthe above-mentioned high-power-consuming. In many implementations, thehigh-power consuming circuitry includes a microprocessor that is locatedon a head unit and the low-power consuming circuitry includes amicrocontroller and is located on a backplate. The current applicationis directed to an intelligent control system that includes at least oneintelligent thermostat and remote servers that continuously refinecomputational models of controlled environments digitally encoded andelectronically stored within the intelligent control system and thatadapt to changing environmental conditions by gathering information fromusers via non-obtrusive information queries constructed and transmittedaccording to user-specified and feedback-determined user preferences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing andcontrol unit (VSCU unit).

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit as it is being controlled by thehand of a user.

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit as installed in a house having an HVACsystem and a set of control wires.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation ofthe outer ring along with an ensuing user interface display.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data input functionality provided by the userinterface of the VSCU unit.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a similar data input functionality provided bythe user interface of the VSCU unit for answering various questionsduring the set up interview.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate some of the many examples of user interfacedisplays provided by the VSCU unit.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit and anHVAC-coupling wall dock.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrates HVAC-coupling wall docks.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit and anHVAC-coupling wall dock.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate conceptual diagrams representative ofadvantageous scenarios in which multiple VSCU units are installed in ahome or other space that does not have a wireless data network.

FIG. 11 illustrates an advantageous scenario in which one or more VSCUunits are installed in a home that is equipped with WiFi wirelessconnectivity and access to the Internet.

FIG. 12 illustrates an energy management network as enabled by the VSCUunits and VSCU Efficiency Platform.

FIGS. 13A-B illustrate a thermostat having a user-friendly interface.

FIG. 13C illustrates a shell portion of a frame of the thermostat ofFIGS. 13A-B.

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate a thermostat with respect to its two maincomponents: the head unit and the back plate.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate the head unit with respect to its primarycomponents.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate the head-unit frontal assembly with respect toits primary components.

FIGS. 17A-17B illustrate the backplate unit with respect to its primarycomponents.

FIG. 18 a partially assembled head-unit front.

FIG. 19 illustrates a head-on view of the head-unit circuit board.

FIG. 20 illustrates a rear view of the backplate circuit board.

FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate the sleep-wake timing dynamic, at progressivelylarger time scales.

FIG. 22 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functionalsoftware, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unitmicroprocessor.

FIG. 23 illustrates the functional software, firmware, and/orprogramming architecture of the backplate microcontroller.

FIG. 24 illustrates a view of the wiring terminals, as presented to theuser, when the backplate is exposed.

FIG. 25 shows a residential housing unit that is monitored andcontrolled by an intelligent-thermostat-based intelligent controlsystem.

FIGS. 26A-C illustrate one example of how a full characterization of aresidential unit, or other controlled environment, may contribute toeffective and efficient temperature control by an intelligent controlsystem.

FIG. 27 illustrates the type of information that would be desirablyacquired and maintained, on a continuing basis, by an intelligentcontrol system for controlling the environment within a residentialunit, building, or other structure.

FIG. 28 illustrates the types of devices through which a user may bereached by the intelligent control system.

FIG. 29 illustrates contact information that may be maintained by anintelligent control system in order to effectively and non-obtrusivelyobtain information about a controlled environment from users.

FIGS. 30A-C illustrate friendly, engaging information inquiriesdisplayed on a mobile phone, a web browser, and on an intelligentthermostat, respectively.

FIGS. 31-34 provide control-flow diagrams that illustrate querying ofusers for information by an intelligent control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current application is directed to intelligent control systems thatinclude one or more intelligent thermostats that each controls one ormore HVAC systems, the intelligent thermostats alternatively referred toas “versatile sensing and control units” (VSCU units). Each VSCU unitprovides energy-saving HVAC control functionality while, at the sametime, is visually appealing and easy to use. Each VSCU unit includesselectively layered functionality, exposing unsophisticated users to asimple user interface but providing advanced users many differentenergy-saving and energy tracking functionalities. Even for the case ofunsophisticated users, a VSCU unit provides advanced energy-savingfunctionality that runs in the background. In addition, a VSCU unit usesmulti-sensor technology to learn about its heating and coolingenvironment and optimize control settings and parameters. A VSCU unitalso learns about users via interactive information gathering methods,including a setup interview in which a user answers a few simplequestions and, continuing over time, by using multi-sensor technology todetect user occupancy and control patterns, by tracking user controlinputs, and by additional interactive information-gathering methods. Onan ongoing basis, the VSCU unit processes the learned and sensedinformation and automatically adjusts its environmental control settingsto optimize energy usage while, at the same time, maintaining the livingspace at optimal levels according to the learned occupancy patterns andcomfort preferences of the user. The VSCU unit additionally promotesenergy-saving behavior of users by displaying, at selected times,information that encourages reduced energy usage, includingcharacterizations of historical energy cost performance, forecastedenergy costs, and displayed congratulations and encouragement.

When the VSCU unit is connected to the internet via a home network, suchas through IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) connectivity, a VSCU may transmitreal-time or aggregated home energy performance data to a utilitycompany, a VSCU data-service provider, VSCU units in other locations,and/or other data recipients. The VSCU may; receive real-time oraggregated home energy performance data from a utility company, a VSCUdata service provider, VSCU units in other locations, and/or other datasources. The VSCU may receive new energy-control executables and/orother types of control upgrades from one or more VSCU data serviceproviders and/or other sources. The VSCU may receive current andforecasted weather information for inclusion in energy-saving controlroutines and user control commands from a user's computer,network-connected television, smart phone, and/or other stationary orportable data-communication appliance. The VSCU may provide aninteractive user interface to the user through a user'sdata-communication appliance. The VSCU may receive control commands andinformation from an external energy-management advisor, such as asubscription-based service aimed at leveraging collected informationfrom multiple sources to generate the best possible energy-savingcontrol commands and/or profiles for subscribers and may receive controlcommands and information from an external energy management authority,such as a utility company to whom limited authority has been voluntarilygiven to control the VSCU in exchange for rebates or other costincentives. The VSCU may additionally provide alarms, alerts, and otherinformation to the user on a user's digital device and/or that ofanother person or organization designated for receiving the alarms andalerts by the user. The need for transmission of alarms and alerts maybe determined by the VSCU by sensing various types of events within theenvironment of the VSCU, including both HVAC-related events and non-HVACrelated events.

The environment controlled by an intelligent control system may includeall or portions of a residential home, a duplex, townhome, multi-unitapartment building, hotel, retail store, office building, industrialbuilding, and other living spaces and work spaces serviced by one ormore HVAC systems. Users of intelligent control systems and VSCUs mayinclude residents, building owners, landlords, and other individuals whodirect control an environment serviced by an HVAC system throughinterfaces provided by VSCUs.

The phrases “set point” and “temperature set point” refer to a targettemperature setting of a temperature control system, generally set by auser or automatically set according to a schedule. Many thermostaticfunctionalities described below apply in both heating and coolingcontexts. To avoid unnecessary repetition, some examples may bepresented in only one of these contexts, without mentioning the other.Therefore, where a particular example is set forth, below, in thecontext of home heating, the present teachings are likewise applicableto the counterpart context of home cooling, and vice versa, to theextent such counterpart application would be logically consistent.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing andcontrol (“VSCU”) unit. The VSCU unit 100 preferably has a sleek, elegantappearance that does not detract from home decoration. The VSCU unit 100comprises a main body 108 that is preferably circular with a diameter ofabout 8 cm and that has a visually pleasing outer finish, such as asatin nickel or chrome finish. A cap-like structure comprising arotatable outer ring 106, a sensor ring 104, and a circular displaymonitor 102 is separated from the main body 108 by a small peripheralgap 110. The outer ring 106 has an outer finish similar to that of themain body 108, while the sensor ring 104 and circular display monitor102 have a common circular glass or plastic outer covering that isgently arced in an outward direction. The sensor ring 104 contains anyof a wide variety of sensors including infrared sensors, visible-lightsensors, and acoustic sensors. The glass or plastic that covers thesensor ring 104 is generally smoked or mirrored so that the sensorsthemselves are not visible to the user. An air-venting functionality isprovided to allow the ambient air to be sensed by the internal sensors.

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit as it is being controlled by thehand of a user. In one example, the VSCU unit 100 is controlled by onlytwo types of user input, the first being a rotation of the outer ring106 (FIG. 1B), and the second being an inward push on the outer ring 106(FIG. 1C) until an audible and/or tactile click occurs. For one example,the inward push of FIG. 1C only causes the outer ring 106 to moveforward, while in another example the entire cap-like structure,including both the outer ring 106 and the glass covering of the sensorring 104 and circular display monitor 102, move inwardly together whenpushed. In one example, the sensor ring 104, the circular displaymonitor 102, and their common glass covering do not rotate with outerring 106.

By user rotation of the outer ring 106 (“ring rotation”) and inwardpushing of the outer ring 106 (“inward click”) responsive to intuitiveand easy-to-read prompts on the circular display monitor 102, the VSCUunit 100 is capable of receiving information from the user for basicsetup and operation. Generally, the outer ring 106 is mechanicallymounted in a manner that provides a smooth yet viscous feel to the user,which promotes an overall feeling of elegance while also reducingspurious or unwanted rotational inputs. In one example, the VSCU unit100 recognizes three different types of user inputs via ring rotationand inward click: (1) ring rotate left, (2) ring rotate right, and (3)inward click. In other examples, more complex fundamental user inputscan be recognized, including double-click or triple-click inwardpresses, speed-sensitive, and acceleration-sensitive rotational inputs.

A discrete mechanical HEAT-COOL toggle switch, HEAT-OFF-COOL selectionswitch, or HEAT-FAN-OFF-COOL switch is generally not included in theVSCU unit 100, contributing to the overall visual simplicity andelegance of the VSCU unit 100 and facilitating the provision of advancedcontrol abilities. Generally, no electrical proxy for such a discretemechanical switch is included. Instead, the switching between thesesettings is performed under computerized control of the VSCU unit 100responsive to multi-sensor readings, programming, and/or theabove-described ring-rotation and inward-click user inputs.

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit as installed in a house having an HVACsystem and a set of control wires. The VSCU unit 100 is well suited forinstallation by contractors in new home construction and/or in thecontext of complete HVAC system replacement. However, the VSCU unit 100may also serve as a replacement thermostat in an existing home. Ineither case, the VSCU unit 100 can facilitate inserting an entireenergy-saving technology platform into the home. The phrase “VSCUEfficiency Platform” refers to products and services that aretechnologically compatible with the VSCU unit 100 and/or with devicesand programs that support the operation of the VSCU unit 100.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system of FIG. 2A.HVAC system 299 provides heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or airhandling for an enclosure, such as the single-family home 201 depictedin FIG. 2A. The HVAC system 299 depicts a forced-air type heatingsystem, although according to other examples, other types of systems canbe used. In heating, heating coils or elements 242 within air handler240 provide a source of heat using electricity or gas via line 236. Coolair is drawn from the enclosure via return air duct 246 through filter270 using fan 238 and is heated by the heating coils or elements 242.The heated air flows back into the enclosure at one or more locationsthrough a supply air duct system 252 and supply air grills such as grill250. In cooling, an outside compressor 230 passes a gas such as Freonthrough a set of heat exchanger coils to cool the gas. The gas then goesvia line 232 to the cooling coils 234 in the air handlers 240 where itexpands, cools and cools the air being circulated through the enclosurevia fan 238. According to some examples a humidifier 262 is alsoprovided to moisten the air using water provided by a water line 264.Although not shown in FIG. 2B, according to some examples the HVACsystem for the enclosure has other known components such as dedicatedoutside vents to pass air to and from the outside, one or more dampersto control airflow within the duct systems, an emergency heating unit,and a dehumidifier. The HVAC system is selectively actuated via controlelectronics 212 that communicate with the VSCU 100 over control wires298.

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation ofthe outer ring along with an ensuing user interface display. In oneexample, prior to the time depicted in FIG. 3A in which the user hasapproached the VSCU unit 100, the VSCU unit 100 has set the circulardisplay monitor 102 to be entirely blank (“dark”), which corresponds toa state of inactivity. As the user walks up to the display, the user'spresence is detected by one or more sensors in the VSCU unit 100, atwhich point the circular display monitor 102 is automatically turned on.When this happens, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the circular displaymonitor 102 displays the current set point in a large font at a centerreadout 304. Also displayed is a set point icon 302 disposed along aperiphery of the circular display monitor 102 at a location that isspatially representative of the current set point. Although it iselectronic, the set point icon 302 is reminiscent of older mechanicalthermostat dials.

The example of FIG. 3A assumes a scenario for which the actual currenttemperature of 68 is equal to the set point temperature of 68. For acase in which the user approaches the VSCU unit 100 when the actualcurrent temperature is different than the set point temperature, thedisplay would also include an actual temperature readout and a trailingicon, which are described further below in the context of FIGS. 3B-3K.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, as the user turns the outer ring 106clockwise, the increasing value of the set point temperature isinstantaneously provided at the center readout 304 and the set pointicon 302 moves in a clockwise direction around the periphery of thecircular display monitor 102 to a location representative of theincreasing set point. Whenever the actual current temperature isdifferent than the set point temperature, an actual temperature readout306 is provided in relatively small digits along the periphery of thecircular a location spatially representing the actual currenttemperature. Further provided is a trailing icon 308, also referred toas a “tail icon” or “difference-indicating icon,” which extends betweenthe location of the actual temperature readout 306 and the set pointicon 302. Further provided is a time-to-temperature readout 310 that isindicative of a prediction, as computed by the VSCU unit 100, of thetime interval required for the HVAC system to bring the temperature fromthe actual current temperature to the set point temperature.

FIGS. 3C-3K illustrate views of the circular display monitor 102 atexemplary instants in time after the user set point change that wascompleted in FIG. 3B (assuming that the circular display monitor 102 hasremained active, such as during a preset post-activity time period,responsive to the continued proximity of the user, or responsive to thedetected proximity of another occupant). Thus, at FIG. 3C, the currentactual temperature is about halfway from the old set point to the newset point, and, in FIG. 3D, the current actual temperature is almost atthe set point temperature. As illustrated in FIG. 3E, both the trailingicon 308 and the actual temperature readout 306 disappear when thecurrent actual temperature reaches the set point temperature and theheating system is turned off. Then, as typically happens in home heatingsituations, the actual temperature begins to sag (FIG. 3F) until thepermissible temperature swing is reached, at which point the heatingsystem is again turned on and the temperature rises to the set point(FIGS. 3H-3I) and the heating system is turned off. In this example, theswing is set to two degrees. The current actual temperature then beginsto sag again (FIGS. 3J-3K), and the cycle continues.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data input functionality provided by the userinterface of the VSCU unit. The data-input functionality is provided fora particular example in which the user is asked, during a congenialsetup interview, to enter the user's ZIP code. Responsive to a displayof digits 0-9 distributed around a periphery of the circular displaymonitor 102 along with a selection icon 402, the user turns the outerring 106 to move the selection icon 402 to the appropriate digit, andthen provides an inward click command to enter that digit.

In one example, the VSCU unit 100 is programmed to provide asoftware-lockout functionality, requiring a person to enter a passwordor combination before the VSCU unit 100 will accept control inputs. Theuser interface for password request and entry can be similar to thatshown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a similar data input functionality provided bythe user interface of the VSCU unit for answering various questionsduring the set up interview. The user rotates the outer ring 106 untilthe desired answer is highlighted, and then provides an inward clickcommand to enter that answer.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate some of the many examples of user interfacedisplays provided by the VSCU unit. At selected times, upon userrequest, or at other times, including random points in time, the VSCUunit 100 displays information on its visually appealing user interfacethat encourages reduced energy usage. In one example shown in FIG. 6A,the user is shown a message of congratulations regarding a particularenergy-saving accomplishment achieved by the user. It has been foundparticularly effective to include pictures or symbols, such as leaficons 602, that evoke pleasant feelings or emotions in the user forproviding positive reinforcement of energy-saving behavior.

FIG. 6B illustrates another example of an energy performance displaythat can influence user energy-saving behavior. The performance displaycomprises a display of the household's recent energy use on a dailybasis and a positive-feedback leaf icon 602 for days of relatively lowenergy usage. Messages such as those of FIG. 6A can be displayed forcustomers who are not Wi-Fi enabled, based on the known cycle times anddurations of the home HVAC equipment as tracked by the VSCU unit 100.Indeed, although a bit more involved, messages such as those of FIG. 6Acan also be displayed for customers who are not Wi-Fi enabled, based onthe known HVAC cycle times and durations combined with pre-programmedestimates of energy costs for their ZIP code and/or user-enteredhistorical energy cost information from past utility bills.

For another example shown in FIG. 6C, the user is shown informationabout the user's energy performance status or progress relative to apopulation of other VSCU-equipped owners who are similarly situated froman energy usage perspective. For this type of display, and similardisplays in which data from other homes and/or central databases isrequired, the VSCU unit 100 needs to be network-enabled. It has beenfound particularly effective to provide competitive or game-styleinformation to the user as an additional means to influenceenergy-saving behavior. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, positive-feedbackleaf icons 602 can be added to the display if the user's competitiveresults are positive. Optionally, the leaf icons 602 can be associatedwith a frequent flyer miles-type point-collection scheme or carboncredit-type business method, as administered, for example, by anexternal VSCU data service provider so that a tangible, fiscal reward isalso associated with the emotional reward.

In some examples, the VSCU unit 100 is manufactured and sold as asingle, monolithic structure containing electrical and mechanicalconnections on the back of the unit. In some examples, the VSCU 100 ismanufactured and/or sold in different versions or packaging groupsdepending on the particular capabilities of the manufacturer(s) and theparticular needs of the customer. For example, the VSCU unit 100 isprovided, in some examples, as the principal component of a two-partcombination consisting of the VSCU 100 and one of a variety of dedicateddocking devices, as described further below.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit and anHVAC-coupling wall dock. For first-time customers who are going to bereplacing an old thermostat, the VSCU unit 100 is provided incombination with HVAC-coupling wall dock 702. The HVAC-coupling walldock 702 comprises mechanical hardware for attaching to the wall andelectrical terminals for connecting to the HVAC wiring 298 that will beextending out of the wall in a disconnected state when the oldthermostat is removed. The HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is configuredwith an electrical connector 704 that mates to a counterpart electricalconnector 705 in the VSCU 100.

For the initial installation process, the customer first installs theHVAC-coupling wall dock 702, including necessary mechanical connections,to the wall and HVAC wiring connections to the HVAC wiring 298. Once theHVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is installed, the next task is to slide theVSCU unit 100 over the wall dock to mate the electrical connectors704/705. The components are generally configured so that theHVAC-connecting wall dock 702 is entirely hidden underneath and insidethe VSCU unit 100.

In one example, the HVAC-connecting wall dock 702 is a relativelybare-bones device having the function of facilitating electricalconnectivity between the HVAC wiring 298 and the VSCU unit 100. Inanother example, the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is equipped to performand/or facilitate, in either a duplicative sense and/or a primary sense,one or more of the functionalities attributed to the VSCU unit 100 inthe instant disclosure, using a set of electrical, mechanical, and/orelectromechanical components 706. One particularly useful functionalityis for the components 706 to include power-extraction circuitry forextracting usable power from the HVAC wiring 298, at least one wire ofwhich carries a 24-volt AC signal in accordance with common HVAC wiringpractice. The power-extraction circuitry converts the 24-volt AC signalinto DC power that is usable by the processing circuitry and displaycomponents of the main unit 701.

The division and/or duplication of functionality between the VSCU unit100 and the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 can be provided in manydifferent ways. In another example, the components 706 of theHVAC-coupling wall dock 702 can include one or more sensing devices,such as an acoustic sensor, for complementing the sensors provided onthe sensor ring 104 of the VSCU unit 100.

In another example, the components 706 can include wirelesscommunication circuitry compatible with one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, such as the Wi-Fi and/or ZigBee protocols. Inanother example, the components 706 can include external AC or DC powerconnectors. In another example, the components 706 can include wireddata communications jacks, such as an RJ45 Ethernet jack, an RJ11telephone jack, or a USB connector.

Provided in accordance with one or more examples related to the dockingcapability shown in FIG. 7 are further devices and features thatadvantageously promote expandability of the number of sensing andcontrol nodes that can be provided throughout the home. In one example,a tabletop docking station (not shown) is provided for docking of asecond instance of the VSCU unit 100, which is referred to as an“auxiliary VSCU” unit (not shown). The tabletop docking station and theauxiliary VSCU unit can be separately purchased by the user, either atthe same time of purchase of the original VSCU unit 100 or at a latertime. The tabletop docking station is similar in functionality to theHVAC-coupling wall dock 702, except that it does not require connectionto the HVAC wiring 298 and is conveniently powered by a standard walloutlet. In another example, instead of being identical to the originalVSCU unit 100, the auxiliary VSCU unit can be a differently labeledversion.

The phrase “primary VSCU unit” refers to one that is electricallyconnected to actuate an HVAC system in whole or in part, which wouldnecessarily include the first VSCU unit purchased for any home, whilethe phrase “auxiliary VSCU unit” refers to one or more additional VSCUunits not electrically connected to actuate an HVAC system in whole orin part. An auxiliary VSCU unit, when docked, will automatically detectthe primary VSCU unit and will automatically be detected by the primaryVSCU unit, such as by Wi-Fi or ZigBee wireless communication. Althoughthe primary VSCU unit remains the sole provider of electrical actuationsignals to the HVAC system, the two VSCU units will otherwise cooperatein unison for improved control heating and cooling controlfunctionality, such improvement being enabled by added multi-sensingfunctionality provided by the auxiliary VSCU unit as well as byadditional processing power provided to accommodate more powerful andprecise control algorithms. Because the auxiliary VSCU unit can acceptuser control inputs just like the primary VSCU unit, user convenience isalso enhanced. Thus, for example, where the tabletop docking station andthe auxiliary VSCU unit are placed on a nightstand next to the user'sbed, the user is not required to get up and walk to the location of theprimary VSCU unit to manipulate the temperature set point, view energyusage, or otherwise interact with the system.

In one example, VSCU units sold by the manufacturer are identical intheir core functionality, each being able to serve as either a primaryVSCU unit or auxiliary VSCU unit as the case requires, although thedifferent VSCU units may have different colors, ornamental designs,memory capacities, and so forth. For this example, the user is able tointerchange the positions of VSCU units by simple removal of each onefrom its existing docking station and placement into a different dockingstation. There is an environmentally, technically, and commerciallyappealing ability for the customer to upgrade to the newest, latest VSCUdesigns and technologies without the need to throw away the existingVSCU unit.

In other examples, different VSCU units sold by a manufacturer can havedifferent functionalities in terms of their abilities to serve asprimary versus auxiliary VSCU units. The hardware cost of anauxiliary-only VSCU unit may be substantially less than that of adual-capability primary/auxiliary VSCU unit. In other examples, primaryVSCU units may use one kind of docking connection system and auxiliaryVSCU units may use a different kind of docking connection system. Instill other examples, primary VSCU units may feature the docking-stationcapability of FIG. 7, but auxiliary VSCU units, wherein auxiliary VSCUunits may not.

FIG. 8A illustrates an HVAC-coupling wall dock. The HVAC-coupling walldock 702′, which includes a set of input wiring ports 851, represents afirst version of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7 that ismanufactured and sold in a simple or do-it-yourself (“DIY”) productpackage in conjunction with the VSCU unit 100. The input wiring ports851 of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ are limited in number andselection to represent a business and technical compromise betweenproviding enough control signal inputs to meet the needs of a reasonablylarge number of HVAC systems in a reasonably large number of households,while, at the same time, not intimidating or overwhelming thedo-it-yourself customer with an overly complex array of connectionpoints. In one example, the input wiring ports 851 include: Rh (24 VACheating call switch power); Rc (24VAC cooling call switch power); W(heating call); Y (cooling call); G (fan); and O/B (heat pump).

The HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ is configured and designed inconjunction with the VSCU unit 100, including both hardware aspects andprogramming aspects, to provide a simple DIY installation process thatfurther provides an appreciable degree of foolproofing for protectingthe HVAC system from damage and for ensuring that signals are directedto appropriate corresponding equipment. In one example, theHVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ is equipped with a small mechanicaldetection switch (not shown) for each distinct input port, such thatinsertion of a wire and non-insertion of a wire is automaticallydetected and a corresponding indication signal is provided to the VSCU100 upon initial docking. In this way, the VSCU 100 has knowledge foreach individual input port whether a wire has, or has not been, insertedinto that port. Preferably, the VSCU unit 100 is also provided withelectrical sensors (e.g., voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter)corresponding to each of the input wiring ports 851. The VSCU 100 istherefore enabled, by suitable programming, to perform sanity checks atinitial installation. By way of example, if there is no input wire ateither the Rc or Rh terminal, or if there is no AC voltage sensed ateither of these terminals, further initialization activity can beimmediately halted, and the user notified on the circular displaymonitor 102, because there is either no power at all or the user hasinserted the Rc and/or Rh wires into the wrong terminal. By way offurther example, if there is a live voltage on the order of 24 VACdetected at any of the W, Y, and G terminals, then it can be concludedthat the user has placed the Rc and/or Rh wire in the wrong place, andappropriate installation halting and user notification can be made.

One feature provided according to one example relates to automatedopening versus automated shunting of the Rc and Rh terminals by the VSCUunit 100. In many common home installations, instead of there beingseparate wires provided for Rc (24 VAC heating call switch power) and Rh(24 VAC cooling call switch power), there is only a single 24VAC callswitch power lead provided. This single 24VAC lead, which might belabeled R, V, Rh, or Rc, depending on the unique history andgeographical location of the home, provides the call switch power forboth heating and cooling. For such cases, a thermostat has the Rc and Rhinput ports shunted together so that the power from a single lead can berespectively accessed by the heating and cooling call switches. However,in many other common home installations, there are separate 24 VAC wiresprovided for Rc and Rh running from separate transformers and, when soprovided, it is important not to shunt them together to avoid equipmentdamage. These situations are resolved historically by a professionalinstaller examining the HVAC system and ensuring that a shunting lead(or equivalent DIP switch setting) is properly installed or notinstalled as appropriate and/or the presence on most thermostats of adiscrete user-toggled mechanical or electromechanical switch to ensurethat heating and cooling are not simultaneously activated. The VSCU 100is equipped and programmed to automatically test the inserted wiring toclassify the user's HVAC system into one of the above two types (i.e.,single call power lead versus dual call power leads), to automaticallyensure that the Rc and Rh input ports remain electrically segregatedwhen the user's HVAC system is determined to be of the dual call powerlead type, and to automatically shunt the Rc and Rh input ports togetherwhen the user's HVAC system is determined to be of the single call powerlead type. The automatic testing can comprise, without limitation,electrical sensing such as that provided by voltmeter, ammeters,ohmmeters, and reactance-sensing circuitry, as well as functionaldetection as described further below.

The VSCU may conduct automated functional testing of the HVAC system bythe VSCU unit 100 based on the wiring insertions made by the installeras detected by the small mechanical detection switches at each distinctinput port. Thus, for example, where an insertion into the W (heatingcall) input port is mechanically sensed at initial startup, the VSCUunit 100 actuates the furnace (by coupling W to Rh) and thenautomatically monitors the temperature over a predetermined period, suchas ten minutes. When the temperature is found to be rising over thatpredetermined period, then the VSCU determines that the W (heating call)lead has been properly connected to the W (heating call) input port.However, when the temperature is found to be falling over thatpredetermined period, then it is determined that Y (cooling call) leadhas likely been erroneously connected to the W (heating call) inputport. In one example, when such error is detected, the system is shutdown and the user is notified and advised of the error on the circulardisplay monitor 102. In another example, when such error is detected,the VSCU unit 100 automatically reassigns the W (heating call) inputport as a Y (cooling call) input port to automatically correct theerror. Similarly, according to an example, where the Y (cooling call)lead is mechanically sensed at initial startup, the VSCU unit 100actuates the air conditioner (by coupling Y to Rc) and thenautomatically monitors the temperature, validating the Y connection whenthe temperature is sensed to be falling and invalidating the Yconnection (and, optionally, automatically correcting the error byreassigning the Y input port as a W input port) when the temperature issensed to be rising.

The VSCU may additionally determine a homeowner's pre-existing heat pumpwiring convention when an insertion onto the O/B (heat pump) input portis mechanically sensed at initial startup. Depending on a combination ofseveral factors, such as the history of the home, the geographicalregion of the home, and the particular manufacturer and installationyear of the home's heat pump, there may be a different heat pump signalconvention used with respect to the direction of operation (heating orcooling) of the heat pump. According to an example, the VSCU unit 100automatically and systematically applies, for each of a number ofpreselected candidate heat pump actuation signal conventions, a coolingactuation command and a heating actuation command, each actuationcommand being followed by a predetermined time period over which thetemperature change is sensed. If the cooling command according to thepresently selected candidate convention is followed by a sensed periodof falling temperature, and the heating command according to thepresently selected candidate convention is followed by a sensed periodof rising temperature, then the presently selected candidate conventionis determined to be the actual heat pump signal convention for thathome. If, on the other hand, the cooling command was not followed by asensed period of cooling and/or the heating command was not followed bya sensed period of heating, then the presently selected candidateconvention is discarded and the VSCU unit 100 repeats the process forthe next candidate heat pump actuation signal convention.

FIG. 8B illustrates a diagram of an HVAC-coupling wall dock 702″, withparticular reference to a set of input wiring ports 861, whichrepresents a second version of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7that is manufactured and sold in a professional product package inconjunction with the VSCU unit 100. The professional product package isgenerally manufactured and marketed with professional installation inmind, such as by direct marketing to HVAC service companies, generalcontractors involved in the construction of new homes, or to homeownershaving more complex HVAC systems with a recommendation for professionalinstallation. The input wiring ports 861 of the HVAC-coupling wall dock702″ are selected to be sufficient to accommodate both simple andcomplex HVAC systems. In one example, the input wiring ports 861 includethe following set: Rh (24 VAC heating call switch power); Rc (24VACcooling call switch power); W1 (first stage heating call); W2 (secondstage heating call); Y1 (first stage cooling call); Y2 (second stagecooling call); G (fan); O/B (heat pump); AUX (auxiliary device call); E(emergency heating call); HUM (humidifier call); and DEHUM (dehumidifiercall). In one example, even though professional installation iscontemplated, the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702″ is nevertheless providedwith small mechanical detection switches (not shown) at the respectiveinput wiring ports for wire insertion sensing, and the VSCU unit 100 isprovided with one or more of the various automated testing and automatedconfiguration capabilities associated with the DIY package describedabove, which may be useful for some professional installers and/or moretechnically savvy do-it-yourselfers confident enough to perform theprofessional-model installation for their more advanced HVAC systems.

FIG. 9 illustrates the VSCU unit and an HVAC-coupling wall dock. TheHVAC-coupling wall dock 902 is similar to the HVAC-coupling wall dock702 of FIG. 7, except that it has an additional functionality as a verysimple, elemental, standalone thermostat when the VSCU unit 100 isremoved, the elemental thermostat including a standard temperaturereadout/setting dial 972 and a simple COOL-OFF-HEAT switch 974. This canprove useful for a variety of situations, such as when the VSCU 100needs to be removed for service or repair for an extended period of timeover which the occupants would still like to remain reasonablycomfortable. In one example, the elemental thermostat components 972 and974 are entirely mechanical in nature, with no electrical power neededto trip the control relays. In other examples, simple electroniccontrols, such as electrical up/down buttons and/or an LCD readout, areprovided. In other examples, some subset of the advanced functionalitiesof the VSCU unit 100 can be provided, such as elemental network accessto allow remote control, to provide a sort of brain stem functionalitywhile the brain (the VSCU unit 100) is temporarily away.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate conceptual diagrams representative of scenariosin which multiple VSCU units are installed in a home or other space thatdoes not have a wireless data network. For the example of FIG. 10A inwhich the home 201 has a single HVAC system 298, a primary VSCU unit 100is installed and connected to the HVAC system via the control wires 298and an auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ is placed, by way of example, on anightstand 1202. The primary VSCU unit 100 and auxiliary VSCU unit 100′are each configured to automatically recognize the presence of the otherand to communicate with each other using a wireless communicationprotocol such as Wi-Fi or ZigBee running in an ad hoc mode.

Many advantageous capabilities are programmed into the VSCU units 100and 100′ to leverage their communication and multi-sensing capabilitiesthat allow them, in a cooperative manner, to perform many VSCU unitfunctionalities, including learning about the home HVAC environment,performing occupancy sensing and prediction, learning user comfortpreferences, etc., that do not require Internet access. In one example,the primary VSCU unit 100 receives temperature data from the auxiliaryVSCU unit 100′ and computes an average of the two temperatures,controlling the HVAC system 299 so that the average temperature of thehome 201 is maintained at the current temperature set point level. Oneor more additional auxiliary VSCU units (not shown) may also bepositioned at one or more additional locations throughout the home andcan become part the ad hoc home VSCU network. Among other advantages,adding more auxiliary VSCU units promotes more accurate occupancydetection, facilitates better determination of spatial temperaturegradients and thermal characteristics, and provides additional dataprocessing power.

The primary/auxiliary VSCU units 100/100′ may be programmed to establisha master/slave relationship, in which any conflicts in their automatedcontrol determinations are resolved in favor of the master VSCU unit,and/or such that any user inputs at the master unit take precedence overany conflicting user inputs made at the slave VSCU unit. Although theprimary VSCU unit 100 is likely the “master” VSCU unit in a beginning ordefault scenario, the status of any particular VSCU unit as a “master”or “slave” is not dictated solely by its status as a primary orauxiliary VSCU unit. Moreover, the status of any particular VSCU unit as“master” or “slave” is not permanent, but rather is dynamicallyestablished to best meet current HVAC control needs as can be bestsensed and/or predicted by the VSCU units. In one example, theestablishment of master versus slave status is optimized to best meetthe comfort desires of users as can be best sensed and/or predicted bythe VSCU units. By way of example, when each VSCU unit is sensing thepresence of multiple occupants, then the primary VSCU unit isestablished as the master unit and controls the HVAC system 299 suchthat the average temperature reading of the two VSCU units is maintainedat the current set point temperature according to a currently activetemplate schedule (La, a schedule of time intervals and set pointtemperatures for each time interval). However, when no occupants in thehome are sensed except for a person in the bedroom, as sensed by theauxiliary VSCU unit 100′ which is positioned on a nightstand in thisexample, then the auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ becomes the “master” VSCUunit, which commands the “slave” VSCU unit 100 to control the HVACsystem 299 so that the temperature in the bedroom, as sensed by themaster unit, stays at a current set point temperature.

Many other automated master/slave establishment scenarios and controldeterminations may be implemented. In one example, the master-slavedetermination can be made, influenced, and/or supported based on anautomated determination of which thermostat is in the best location toreliably govern the temperature, based on historical and/ortesting-observed cycling behavior or other criteria.

The establishment of master-slave status for the primary/auxiliary VSCUunits 100/100′ can also be based upon human control inputs. By way ofexample, when each VSCU unit is sensing the presence of multipleoccupants, and a user manually changes the current set point temperatureon one of the two units, the VSCU unit can output the question “MasterOverride?” on its circular display monitor 102 along with two answeroptions “Yes” and “Let VSCU Decide,” with the latter being circled asthe default response. On the other hand, when the two VSCUs collectivelysense only the presence of one user in the home, then whichever unit iscontrolled by the user can be established as the master unit, withoutthe need for asking the user for a resolution. The VSCU units 100/100′can be programmed so that the establishment of master/slave status canbe explicitly dictated by a user at system setup time, such as during asetup interview, or at a subsequent configuration time using themenu-driven user interface of one of the two VSCU units.

Multiple VSCU units may share computing tasks among themselves in anoptimal manner based on power availability and/or circuitry heatingcriteria. Many of the advanced sensing, prediction, and controlalgorithms provided with the VSCU unit are relatively complex andcomputationally intensive, and can result in high power usage and/ordevice heating when carried out unthrottled. In one example, theintensive computations are automatically distributed so that most arecarried out on a subset of the VSCU units known to have the best powersource(s) available at that time and/or known to have the highest amountof stored battery power available. Thus, for example, because it isgenerally preferable for each primary VSCU unit not to require householdAC power for simplicity of installation as well as for equipment-safetyconcerns, the primary VSCU unit 100 of FIG. 10A is often powered byenergy harvested from one or more of the 24 VAC call relay powersignals, and therefore may only have a limited amount of extra poweravailable for carrying out intensive computations. In contrast, atypical auxiliary VSCU unit may be a nightstand unit that can be pluggedin as easily as a clock radio. In such cases, much of the computationalload can be assigned to the auxiliary VSCU unit so that power ispreserved in the primary VSCU unit. In another example, the speed of theintensive data computations carried out by the auxiliary VSCU unit (or,more generally, any VSCU unit to which the heavier computing load isassigned) can be automatically throttled using known techniques to avoidexcessive device heating, so that temperature sensing errors in thatunit are avoided. In yet another example, the temperature sensingfunctionality of the VSCU unit(s) to which the heavier computing load isassigned can be temporarily suspended for an interval that includes theduration of the computing time, so that no erroneous control decisionsare made when substantial circuitry heating does Occur.

Referring now to FIG. 10B, it is often the case that a home or businesswill have two or more HVAC systems, each of them being responsible for adifferent zone in the house and being controlled by its own thermostat.Thus, shown in FIG. 10B is a first HVAC system 299 associated with afirst zone Z1 and a second HVAC system 299′ associated with a secondzone Z2. According to an example, first and second primary VSCU units100 and 100″ are provided for controlling the respective HVAC units 299and 299′. The first and second primary VSCU units 100 and 100″ areconfigured to leverage their communication and multi-sensingcapabilities such that they jointly, in a cooperative manner, performmany cooperative communication-based VSCU unit functionalities similaror analogous to those described above with respect to FIG. 10A, andstill further cooperative VSCU unit functionalities for multi-zonecontrol. As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the cooperative functionality ofthe first and second primary VSCU units 100 and 100″ can be furtherenhanced by the addition of one or more auxiliary VSCU units 100′according to further examples.

It is to be appreciated that there are other multiple-thermostatscenarios that exist in some homes other than ones for which eachthermostat controls a distinct HVAC system, and that multiple VSCU unitinstallations can be configured to control such systems. In someexisting home installations there may only be a single furnace or asingle air conditioning unit, but the home may still be separated intomultiple zones by actuated flaps in the ductwork, each zone controlledby its own thermostat. In such settings, two primary VSCU units can beinstalled and configured to cooperate, optionally in conjunction withone or more auxiliary VSCU units, to provide optimal HVAC system controlaccording to the described examples.

In one example in the context of non-network-connected VSCU units, theVSCU unit is configured and programmed to use optically sensedinformation to determine an approximate time of day. For a largemajority of installations, regardless of the particular location ofinstallation in the home, there is generally a cyclical 24-hour patternrelated to the intensity of ambient light detected by a VSCU unit. Thiscyclical 24-hour pattern is automatically sensed, with spurious opticalactivity such as light fixture actuations being filtered out over manydays or weeks when necessary, and optionally using ZIP code information,to establish a rough estimate of the actual time of day. This roughinternal clock can be used for non-network-connected installations toverify and correct a gross clock setting error by the user or toestablish a time-of-day clock when the user does not enter a time duringconfiguration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a scenario in which one or more VSCU units areinstalled in a home that is equipped with WiFi wireless connectivity andaccess to the Internet. In addition to providing the standalone,non-Internet connected functionalities described for FIGS. 10A-10C, theconnection of one or more VSCU units to the Internet allows the VSCUs toprovide a rich variety of additional capabilities. Shown in FIG. 11 is aprimary VSCU unit 100 and auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ having WiFi access tothe Internet 1199 via a wireless router/Internet gateway 1168. A usermay communicate with the VSCU units 100 and/or 100′ via a home computer1170, a smart phone 1172 or other portable data communication appliance1172′, or any other Internet-connected computer 1170′.

FIG. 12 illustrates an energy management network as enabled by the VSCUunits and VSCU Efficiency Platform. The environment of FIG. 12, which isapplicable on any scale (neighborhood, regional, state-wide,country-wide, and even world-wide), includes: a number of homes 201 eachhaving one or more network-enabled VSCU units 100; an exemplary hotel1202 (or multi-unit apartment building, etc.) in which each room or unithas a VSCU unit 100, the hotel 1202 further having a computer system1204 and database 1206 configured for managing the multiple VSCU unitsand running software programs, or accessing cloud-based services,provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208; aVSCU data service company 1208 having computing equipment 1210 anddatabase equipment 1212 configured for facilitating provisioning andmanagement of VSCU units, VSCU support equipment, and VSCU-relatedsoftware and subscription services; a handyman or home repair company1214 having a computer 1216 and database 1218 configured, for example,to remotely monitor and test VSCU operation and automatically triggerdispatch tickets for detected problems, the computer 1216 and database1218 running software programs or accessing cloud-based servicesprovisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208; alandlord or property management company 1220 having a computer 1222 anddatabase 1224 configured, for example, to remotely monitor and/or managethe VSCU operation of their tenants and/or clients, the computer 1222and database 1224 running software programs, or accessing cloud-basedservices, provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company1208; and a utility company 1226 providing HVAC energy to utilitycustomers and having computing equipment 1228 and database equipment1230 for monitoring VSCU unit operation, providing VSCU-usable energyusage data and statistics, and managing and/or controlling VSCU unit setpoints at peak load times or other times, the computing equipment 1228and database equipment 1230 running software programs or accessingcloud-based services provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU dataservice company 1208.

According to one example, each VSCU unit provides external data accessat two different functionality levels, one for user-level access withenergy and home-management functionality, and another for aninstaller/vendor (“professional”) that lets the professional monitor auser's system, look at all the different remote sensing gauges, andoffer to provide and/or automatically provide a user with a servicevisit.

FIGS. 13A-B illustrate a thermostat having a user-friendly interface.The term “thermostat” is used below to refer to a VSCU unit (VersatileSensing and Control) that is particularly applicable for HVAC control inan enclosure. Unlike many prior art thermostats, thermostat 1300 has asleek, simple, uncluttered and elegant design. Moreover, userinteraction with thermostat 1300 is facilitated and greatly enhancedover known conventional thermostats by the design of thermostat 1300.The thermostat 1300 includes control circuitry and is electricallyconnected to an HVAC system, such as is shown with thermostat 110 inFIGS. 1 and 2. Thermostat 1300 is wall mounted, is circular in shape,and has an outer rotatable ring 1312 for receiving user input.Thermostat 1300 has a large front face lying inside the outer ring 1312.According to some examples, thermostat 1300 is approximately 80 mm indiameter. The outer rotatable ring 1312 allows the user to makeadjustments, such as selecting a new target temperature. For example, byrotating the outer ring 1312 clockwise, the target temperature can beincreased, and by rotating the outer ring 1312 counter-clockwise, thetarget temperature can be decreased. The front face of the thermostat1300 comprises a clear cover 1314 that according to some examples ispolycarbonate, and a metallic portion 1324 having a number of slots.According to some examples, the surface of cover 1314 and metallicportion 1324 form a common outward arc or spherical shape gently arcingoutward, and this gentle arcing shape is continued by the outer ring1312.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material, such aspolycarbonate, the cover 1314 has two different regions or portionsincluding an outer portion 1314 o and a central portion 1314 i.According to some examples, the cover 1314 is painted or smoked aroundthe outer portion 1314 o, but leaves the central portion 1314 i visiblyclear so as to facilitate viewing of an electronic display 1316.According to some examples, the curved cover 1314 acts as a lens thattends to magnify the information being displayed in electronic display1316 to users. An example of information displayed on the electronicdisplay 1316 is illustrated in FIG. 13A, and includes central numerals1320 that are representative of a current set point temperature.According to some examples, metallic portion 1324 has number ofslot-like openings so as to facilitate the use of a passive infraredmotion sensor 1330. The metallic portion 1324 can alternatively betermed a metallic front grille portion. The thermostat 1300 is generallyconstructed so that the electronic display 1316 is at a fixedorientation and does not rotate with the outer ring 1312. In someexamples, the cover 1314 and metallic portion 1324 also remain at afixed orientation and do not rotate with the outer ring 1312. Accordingto one example in which the diameter of the thermostat 1300 is about 80mm, the diameter of the electronic display 1316 is about 45 mm.According to some examples an LED indicator 1380 is positioned beneathportion 1324 to act as a low-power-consuming indicator of certain statusconditions. For, example the LED indicator 1380 can be used to displayblinking red when a rechargeable battery of the thermostat is very lowand is being recharged. More generally, the LED indicator 1380 can beused for communicating one or more status codes or error codes by virtueof red color, green color, various combinations of red and green,various different blinking rates, and so forth, which can be useful fortroubleshooting purposes.

Motion sensing as well as other techniques can be use used in thedetection and/or predict of occupancy. According to some examples,occupancy information is used in generating an effective and efficientscheduled program. Preferably, an active proximity sensor 1370A isprovided to detect an approaching user by infrared light reflection, andan ambient light sensor 1370B is provided to sense visible light. Theproximity sensor 1370A can be used to detect proximity in the range ofabout one meter so that the thermostat 1300 can initiate wake-upfunctionality when the user is approaching the thermostat and prior tothe user touching the thermostat. Such use of proximity sensing isuseful for enhancing the user experience by readying the thermostat forinteraction as soon as, or very soon after the user is ready to interactwith the thermostat. Further, the wake-up-on-proximity functionalityalso allows for energy savings within the thermostat by sleeping when nouser interaction is taking place our about to take place. The ambientlight sensor 1370B can be used for a variety of intelligence-gatheringpurposes, such as for facilitating confirmation of occupancy when sharprising or falling edges are detected (because it is likely that thereare occupants who are turning the lights on and off) and for detectinglong patterns of ambient light intensity for confirming and/orautomatically establishing the time of day.

The thermostat 1300 is controlled by only two types of user input, thefirst being a rotation of the outer ring 1312 as shown in FIG. 13A, andthe second being an inward push on an outer cap 1308 (see FIG. 13B)until an audible and/or tactile click occurs. For the example of FIGS.13A-13B, the outer cap 1308 is an assembly that includes all of theouter ring 1312, cover 1314, electronic display 1316, and metallicportion 1324. When pressed inwardly by the user, the outer cap 1308travels inwardly by a small amount, such as 0.5 mm, against an interiormetallic dome switch (not shown), and then springably travels backoutwardly by that same amount when the inward pressure is released,providing a satisfying tactile “click” sensation to the user's hand,along with a corresponding gentle audible clicking sound. Thus, for theexample of FIGS. 13A-13B, an inward click can be achieved by directpressing on the outer ring 1312 itself, or by indirect pressing of theouter ring by virtue of providing inward pressure on the cover 1314,metallic portion 1314, or by various combinations thereof. In otherexamples, the thermostat 1300 can be mechanically configured so thatonly the outer ring 1312 travels inwardly for the inward click input,while the cover 1314 and metallic portion 1324 remain motionless. It hasbeen found desirable to provide the user with an ability to quickly goback and forth between registering ring rotations and inward clicks witha single hand and with minimal amount of time and effort involved. Thestrategic placement of the electronic display 1316 centrally inside therotatable ring 1312 allows the user to focus his or her attention on theelectronic display throughout the input process.

FIG. 13C illustrates a shell portion of a frame of the thermostat ofFIGS. 13A-B. While the thermostat functionally adapts to the user'sschedule, the outer shell portion 1309 is specially configured to conveya chameleon quality or characteristic so that the overall device appearsto naturally blend in with many of the most common wall colors and walltextures found in home and business environments, at least in partbecause it will appear to assume the surrounding colors and eventextures when viewed from many different angles. The shell portion 1309has the shape of a frustum that is gently curved when viewed incross-section, and comprises a sidewall 1376 that is made of a clearsolid material, such as polycarbonate plastic. The sidewall 1376 isbackpainted with a substantially flat silver- or nickel-colored paint,the paint being applied to an inside surface 1378 of the sidewall 1376but not to an outside surface 1377. The outside surface 1377 is smoothand glossy but is not painted. The sidewall 1376 can have a thickness Tof about 1.5 mm, a diameter d1 of about 78.8 mm at a first end that isnearer to the wall when mounted, and a diameter d2 of about 81.2 mm at asecond end that is farther from the wall when mounted, the diameterchange taking place across an outward width dimension h of about 22.5mm, the diameter change taking place in either a linear fashion or, morepreferably, a slightly nonlinear fashion with increasing outwarddistance to form a slightly curved shape when viewed in profile, asshown in FIG. 13C. The outer ring 1312 of outer cap 1308 is preferablyconstructed to match the diameter d2 where disposed near the second endof the shell portion 1309 across a modestly sized gap g1 therefrom, andthen to gently arc back inwardly to meet the cover 1314 across a smallgap g2.

According to some examples, the thermostat 1300 includes a processingsystem 1360, display driver 1364 and a wireless communications system1366. The processing system 1360 is adapted to cause the display driver1364 and display area 1316 to display information to the user, and toreceiver user input via the rotatable ring 1312. The processing system1360, according to some examples, is capable of carrying out thegovernance of the operation of thermostat 1300 including the userinterface features. The processing system 1360 is further programmed andconfigured to carry out other operations as described further belowand/or in other ones of the commonly assigned incorporated applications.For example, processing system 1360 is further programmed and configuredto maintain and update a thermodynamic model for the enclosure in whichthe HVAC system is installed. According to some examples, the wirelesscommunications system 1366 is used to communicate with devices such aspersonal computers and/or other thermostats or HVAC system components,which can be peer-to-peer communications, communications through one ormore servers located on a private network, or and/or communicationsthrough a cloud-based service.

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate a thermostat with respect to its two maincomponents: the head unit and the back plate. The thermostat 1300includes head unit 1400 and back plate 1500. In the drawings shown, the“z” direction is outward from the wall, the “y” direction is thehead-to-toe direction relative to a walk-up user, and the “x” directionis the user's left-to-right direction.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate the head unit with respect to its primarycomponents. Head unit 1400 includes a head unit frame 1410, the outerring 1420 (which is manipulated for ring rotations), a head unit frontalassembly 1430, a front lens 1480, and a front grille 1490. Electricalcomponents on the head unit frontal assembly 1430 can connect toelectrical components on the backplate 1500 by virtue of ribbon cablesand/or other plug type electrical connectors.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate the head-unit frontal assembly with respect toits primary components. Head unit frontal assembly 1430 comprises a headunit circuit board 1440, a head unit front plate 1450, and an LCD module1460. The components of the front side of head unit circuit board 1440are hidden behind an RF shield in FIG. 16A but are discussed in moredetail below with respect to FIG. 19. On the back of the head unitcircuit board 1440 is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 1444, which forone preferred example has a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts and a nominalcapacity of 560 mAh. To extend battery life, however, the battery 1444is normally not charged beyond 450 mAh by the thermostat batterycharging circuitry. Moreover, although the battery 1444 is rated to becapable of being charged to 4.2 volts, the thermostat battery chargingcircuitry normally does not charge it beyond 3.95 volts. Also visible inFIG. 16B is an optical finger navigation module 1442 that is configuredand positioned to sense rotation of the outer ring 1420. The module 1442uses methods analogous to the operation of optical computer mice tosense the movement of a texturable surface on a facing periphery of theouter ring 1420. Notably, the module 1442 is one of the very few sensorsthat is controlled by the relatively power-intensive head unitmicroprocessor rather than the relatively low-power backplatemicroprocessor. This is achievable without excessive power drainimplications because the head unit microprocessor will be awake when theuser is manually turning the dial, so there is no excessive wake-uppower drain. Very fast response can also be provided by the head unitmicroprocessor. Also visible in FIG. 16A is a Fresnel lens 1457 thatoperates in conjunction with a PIR motion sensor.

FIGS. 17A-17B illustrate the backplate unit with respect to its primarycomponents. Backplate unit 1500 comprises a backplate rear plate 1510, abackplate circuit board 1520, and a backplate cover 1580. Visible inFIG. 17A are the HVAC wire connectors 1522 that include integrated wireinsertion sensing circuitry, and two relatively large capacitors 1524that are used by part of the power stealing circuitry that is mounted onthe back side of the backplate circuit board 1520 and discussed furtherbelow with respect to FIG. 20.

FIG. 18 a partially assembled head-unit front. FIG. 18 shows thepositioning of grille member 1490 designed in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention with respect to several sensors used by thethermostat. In some implementations, placement of grille member 1490over the Fresnel lens 1457 and an associated PIR motion sensor 334conceals and protects these PIR sensing elements, while horizontal slotsin the grille member 1490 allow the PIR motion sensing hardware, despitebeing concealed, to detect the lateral motion of occupants in a room orarea. A temperature sensor 330 uses a pair of thermal sensors to moreaccurately measure ambient temperature. A first or upper thermal sensor330 a associated with temperature sensor 330 tends to gather temperaturedata closer to the area outside or on the exterior of the thermostatwhile a second or lower thermal sensor 330 b tends to collecttemperature data more closely associated with the interior of thehousing. In one implementation, each of the temperature sensors 330 aand 330 b comprises a Texas Instruments TMP112 digital temperaturesensor chip, while the PIR motion sensor 334 comprises PerkinElmerDigiPyro PYD 1498 dual element pyrodetector.

To more accurately determine the ambient temperature, the temperaturetaken from the lower thermal sensor 330 b is taken into consideration inview of the temperatures measured by the upper thermal sensor 330 a andwhen determining the effective ambient temperature. This configurationcan be used to compensate for the effects of internal heat produced inthe thermostat by the microprocessor(s) and/or other electroniccomponents, obviating or minimizing temperature measurement errors thatmight otherwise be suffered. In some implementations, the accuracy ofthe ambient temperature measurement may be further enhanced by thermallycoupling upper thermal sensor 330 a of temperature sensor 330 to grillemember 1490 as the upper thermal sensor 330 a better reflects theambient temperature than lower thermal sensor 334 b.

FIG. 19 illustrates a head-on view of the head-unit circuit board. Thehead unit circuit board 1440 comprises a head unit microprocessor 1902(such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 chip) and an associated oscillator1904, along with DDR SDRAM memory 1906, and mass NAND storage 1908. ForWi-Fi capability, there is provided in a separate compartment of RFshielding 1934 a Wi-Fi module 1910, such as a Murata Wireless SolutionsLBWA19XSLZ module, which is based on the Texas Instruments WL1270chipset supporting the 802.11b/g/n WLAN standard. For the Wi-Fi module1910 is supporting circuitry 1912 including an oscillator 1914. ForZigBee capability, there is provided also in a separately shielded RFcompartment a ZigBee module 1916, which can be, for example, a C2530F256module from Texas Instruments. For the ZigBee module 1916 there isprovided supporting circuitry 1918 including an oscillator 1919 and alow-noise amplifier 1920. Also provided is display backlight voltageconversion circuitry 1922, piezoelectric driving circuitry 1924, andpower management circuitry 1926 (local power rails, etc.). Provided on aflex circuit 1928 that attaches to the back of the head unit circuitboard by a flex circuit connector 1930 is a proximity and ambient lightsensor (PROX/ALS), more particularly a Silicon Labs SI1142Proximity/Ambient Light Sensor with an I2C Interface. Also provided arebattery charging-supervision-disconnect circuitry 1932 and spring/RFantennas 1936. Also provided is a temperature sensor 1938 (risingperpendicular to the circuit board in the +z direction containing twoseparate temperature sensing elements at different distances from thecircuit board), and a PIR motion sensor 1940. Notably, even though thePROX/ALS and temperature sensors 1938 and PIR motion sensor 1940 arephysically located on the head unit circuit board 1440, all thesesensors are polled and controlled by the low-power backplatemicrocontroller on the backplate circuit board, to which they areelectrically connected.

FIG. 20 illustrates a rear view of the backplate circuit board. Thebackplate circuit board 1520 comprises a backplateprocessor/microcontroller 2002, such as a Texas Instruments MSP430FSystem-on-Chip Microcontroller that includes an on-board memory 2003.The backplate circuit board 1520 further comprises power supplycircuitry 2004, which includes power-stealing circuitry, and switchcircuitry 2006 for each HVAC respective HVAC function. For each suchfunction the switch circuitry 2006 includes an isolation transformer2008 and a back-to-back NFET package 2010. The use of FETs in theswitching circuitry allows for “active power stealing”, i.e., takingpower during the HVAC “ON” cycle, by briefly diverting power from theHVAC relay circuit to the reservoir capacitors for a very smallinterval, such as 100 micro-seconds. This time is small enough not totrip the HVAC relay into the “off” state but is sufficient to charge upthe reservoir capacitors. The use of FETs allows for this fast switchingtime (100 micro-seconds), which would be difficult to achieve usingrelays (which stay on for tens of milliseconds). Also, such relays wouldreadily degrade doing this kind of fast switching, and they would alsomake audible noise too. In contrast, the FETS operate with essentiallyno audible noise. Also provided is a combined temperature/humiditysensor module 2012, such as a Sensirion SHT21 module. The backplatemicrocontroller 2002 performs polling of the various sensors, sensingfor mechanical wire insertion at installation, alerting the head unitregarding current vs. set point temperature conditions and actuating theswitches accordingly, and other functions such as looking forappropriate signal on the inserted wire at installation.

The thermostat 1300 represents an advanced, multi-sensing,microprocessor-controlled intelligent or “learning” thermostat thatprovides a rich combination of processing capabilities, intuitive andvisually pleasing user interfaces, network connectivity, andenergy-saving capabilities (including the presently describedauto-away/auto-arrival algorithms) while at the same time not requiringa so-called “C-wire” from the HVAC system or line power from a householdwall plug, even though such advanced functionalities can require agreater instantaneous power draw than a “power-stealing” option (i.e.,extracting smaller amounts of electrical power from one or more HVACcall relays) can safely provide. The head unit microprocessor 1902 candraw on the order of 250 mW when awake and processing, the LCD module1460 can draw on the order of 250 mW when active. Moreover, the Wi-Fimodule 1910 can draw 250 mW when active, and needs to be active on aconsistent basis such as at a consistent 2% duty cycle in commonscenarios. However, in order to avoid falsely tripping the HVAC relaysfor a large number of commercially used HVAC systems, power-stealingcircuitry is often limited to power providing capacities on the order of100 mW-200 mW, which would not be enough to supply the needed power formany common scenarios.

The thermostat 1300 resolves such issues at least by virtue of the useof the rechargeable battery 1444 (or equivalently capable onboard powerstorage medium) that will recharge during time intervals in which thehardware power usage is less than what power stealing can safelyprovide, and that will discharge to provide the needed extra electricalpower during time intervals in which the hardware power usage is greaterthan what power stealing can safely provide. In order to operate in abattery-conscious manner that promotes reduced power usage and extendedservice life of the rechargeable battery, the thermostat 1300 isprovided with both a relatively powerful and relatively power-intensivefirst processor (such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 microprocessor) thatis capable of quickly performing more complex functions such as drivinga visually pleasing user interface display and performing variousmathematical learning computations and a relatively less powerful andless power-intensive second processor (such as a Texas InstrumentsMSP430 microcontroller) for performing less intensive tasks, includingdriving and controlling the occupancy sensors. To conserve valuablepower, the first processor is maintained in a sleep state for extendedperiods of time and is woken up only for occasions in which itscapabilities are needed, whereas the second processor is kept on more orless continuously (although slowing down or disabling certain internalclocks for brief periodic intervals to conserve power) to performrelatively low-power tasks. The first and second processors are mutuallyconfigured such that the second processor can wake the first processoron the occurrence of certain events, which can be referred to as“wake-on facilities.” These wake-on facilities can be turned on andturned off as part of different functional and/or power-saving goals tobe achieved. For example, a wake-on-PROX facility can be provided bywhich the second processor, when detecting a user's hand approaching thethermostat dial by virtue of an active proximity sensor (PROX, such asprovided by a Silicon Labs SI1142 Proximity/Ambient Light Sensor withI2C Interface), will wake up the first processor so that it can providea visual display to the approaching user and be ready to respond morerapidly when their hand touches the dial. As another example, awake-on-PIR facility can be provided by which the second processor willwake up the first processor when detecting motion somewhere in thegeneral vicinity of the thermostat by virtue of a passive infraredmotion sensor (PIR, such as provided by a PerkinElmer DigiPyro PYD 1998dual element pyrodetector). Notably, wake-on-PIR is not synonymous withauto-arrival, as there would need to be N consecutive buckets of sensedPIR activity to invoke auto-arrival, whereas only a single sufficientmotion event can trigger a wake-on-PIR wake-up.

FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate the sleep-wake timing dynamic, at progressivelylarger time scales. FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate examples of the sleep-waketiming dynamic that can be achieved between the head unit (HU)microprocessor and the backplate (BP) microcontroller thatadvantageously provides a good balance between performance,responsiveness, intelligence, and power usage. The higher plot value foreach represents a wake state (or an equivalent higher power state) andthe lower plot value for each represents a sleep state (or an equivalentlower power state). As illustrated, the backplate microcontroller isactive much more often for polling the sensors and similar relativelylow-power tasks, whereas the head unit microprocessor stays asleep muchmore often, being woken up for “important” occasions such as userinterfacing, network communication, and learning algorithm computation,and so forth. A variety of different strategies for optimizing sleepversus wake scenarios can be achieved by the disclosed architecture andis within the scope of the present teachings.

FIG. 22 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functionalsoftware, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unitmicroprocessor 1902. FIG. 23 illustrates the functional software,firmware, and/or programming architecture of the backplatemicrocontroller 2002.

FIG. 24 illustrates a view of the wiring terminals, as presented to theuser, when the backplate is exposed. Each wiring terminal is configuredso that the insertion of a wire is detected and made apparent to thebackplate microcontroller and ultimately the head unit microprocessor.According to one example, when the insertion of a particular wire isdetected, a further check is automatically carried out by the thermostatto ensure that signals appropriate to that particular wire are present.For one example, a voltage waveform between that wiring node and a“local ground” of the thermostat is automatically measured. The measuredwaveform should have an RMS-type voltage metric that is above apredetermined threshold value, and when such predetermined value is notreached, then a wiring error condition is indicated to the user. Thepredetermined threshold value, which may vary from circuit design tocircuit design depending on the particular selection of the localground, can be empirically determined using data from a population oftypical HVAC systems to statistically determine a suitable thresholdvalue. In some examples, the “local ground” or “system ground” can becreated from the R_(h) line and/or R_(c) terminal and whichever of theG, Y, or W terminals from which power stealing is being performed, thesetwo lines going into a full-bridge rectifier (FWR) which has the localground as one of its outputs.

Continuous Intelligent-Control-System Update Using Information RequestsDirected to User Devices

FIG. 25 shows a residential housing unit that is monitored andcontrolled by an intelligent-thermostat-based intelligent controlsystem. The housing unit 2500 includes a kitchen area 2502, bathroom andshower 2504, a utility room 2506, two bedrooms 2508 and 2510, a den2512, and a large central living space 2514. As with any living space,the housing unit 2500 shown in FIG. 25 includes many different featuresthat may input or release heat into the housing unit or remove heat fromthe housing unit, referred to as heat sources and heat sinks.

Examples of heat sources include hot-water taps 2520, shower heads 2522,washer/dryer appliances 2524, a dishwasher 2526, a fireplace 2528, andwindows, such as window 2530. Windows may be heat sources when directsunlight is streaming through the windows, when the outside temperatureis greater than the inside temperature, and under other conditions.Hot-water taps and shower heads may be heat sources when operating tointroduce hot water into the living environment, such as filling a sinkor generating a warm shower spray that exchanges heat with the interiorenvironment. Most electromechanical appliances, including refrigerators,are heat sources, since motors, cooling units, and other components ofelectromechanical appliances generate heat during operation. Humanoccupants and pets may also be heat sources, as are most lightingsystems, display devices, televisions, and computers.

By contrast, heat sinks remove heat from the residential unit, andinclude range-hood fans ported to the exterior environment, windows,when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature anddirect sunlight is not streaming through the windows, vents and otherunsealed openings, such as spaces below doors without weather stripping,when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature,cold-water taps, which introduce cold water into the environment that iswarmed by heat from the internal environment, and even a fireplace, whenthe fireplace is not dampened and air is sucked from within theenvironment and expelled from a chimney.

The housing unit may also include various types of insulation and heatbarriers, heat-exchange passageways, such as open doors through whichheat may flow from a warmer room to a colder room through a doorway orcorridor, and may contain many different types of objects and materialswith different heat capacities that absorb heat as the interiorenvironment is being warmed. Heat sources, heat sinks, materials andobjects with relatively large heat capacities, the degrees of insulationin various parts of the residence, and channels for heat exchangebetween different portions of the residence may all contribute to theheating and cooling characteristics of a residence in which an HVACsystem and other heating and cooling components controlled byintelligent thermostats operate. Precise, energy-efficient control ofheating and cooling within a controlled environment, such as the housingunit illustrated in FIG. 25, is facilitated when these variousparameters and characteristics are known, dynamically monitored, andeven predicted according to learned operational and behavioral patternsby an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats.The parameters and characteristics may include the locations andcharacteristics of various heat sources and heat sinks, insulationlevels, the R values of various rooms and even walls within the rooms,the locations and capacities of interior conduits for heat exchange,such as open doors, and the operational status of various heat-producingappliances and heat-introducing features.

Unfortunately, as shown in FIG. 25, there may be fewer intelligentthermostats 2540-2543 than rooms, limiting the reach and range of theintelligent thermostats with respect to the controlled environment. Theintelligent thermostats may generally have a limited number of sensorsthat generate signals from only a limited number of different types ofenvironmental phenomena, limiting the types and quantities ofinformation available to the intelligent thermostats. Additionally, therange and angles over which specific sensors can receive signals may notallow sensor data to be generated for large portions of a controlledenvironment. For example, as discussed in the preceding sections, anintelligent thermostat may have temperature sensors, light sensors,sound sensors, and proximity sensors, among others. It is even possiblefor high-end intelligent thermostats to include web cams or othervisual-surveillance monitors. Despite having these various types ofsensors, it is a nonetheless a formidable and generally intractable taskfor an intelligent control system to acquire and interpret sufficientsensor input to fully characterize all of the various heat sources, heatsinks, and other information, discussed above, that would be desirableto be collected and maintained, on an ongoing basis, in order toeffectively and efficiently control the temperature and other aspects ofthe residential unit, detect hazardous conditions, and predict futurecontrol-related events and conditions. Similar considerations apply toother types of enclosed spaces, entire buildings, and other environmentscontrolled by intelligent control systems that include intelligentthermostats.

FIGS. 26A-C illustrate one example of how a full characterization of aresidential unit, or other controlled environment, may contribute toeffective and efficient temperature control by an intelligent controlsystem. FIGS. 26A-C all use similar illustration conventions and showplots of temperature versus time, with temperature represented by thevertical axis and time represented by the horizontal axis. FIG. 26Ashows a temperature versus time curve for a residential unit. Theheating unit, at time 0 (2602 in FIG. 26A) is powered off because thetemperature at that time is within a previously specified, desirabletemperature range. The temperature falls, in the initial portion of thecurve 2604, as heat is slowly lost from the controlled environment,until a time 2606 at which the heating unit is activated by the controlsystem. The temperature then rapidly rises, in the steep upward portionof the curve 2608, to a point that the heating unit is powered off 2610,after which the temperature slowly decreases in the gradual,down-sloping of the curve 2612. These cycles continue at regularintervals, when no other changes or events that affect the heatingresponse of the controlled environment or that affect control of theintelligent control system occur.

In the graph shown in FIG. 26B, just prior to heating-unit activation attime 2614, an occupant turns on a hot-water shower 2616. The hot-watershower introduces a substantial amount of heat to the interiorenvironment of the residential unit, in addition to the heat generatedby the heating unit, resulting in a steep rise in temperature in theupward portion 2618 of the curve. The heating unit is powered offrelatively early in this portion of the curve 2620, but the temperaturecontinues to rise, as a result of the hot-water shower, to asignificantly higher temperature 2622 than specified as being desired bythe resident. This is an example of activation of a heat source withinthe residential environment in addition to the heating unit, resultingin the interior temperature rising higher than desired and wasting of aheating cycle.

FIG. 26C illustrates the same scenario illustrated in FIG. 26B when theheating unit is controlled by an intelligent control system withawareness of additional heat sources within the residential unit as wellas when they are activated. As in FIG. 26B, in FIG. 26C, the residentturns on the hot-water shower 2624 as the temperature is approaching thetemperature at which the heating unit would normally be activated.However, the intelligent control system is aware that the hot-watershower has been turned on, due to correctly interpreting an audio signalor the combination of an audio signal and a humidity signal, understandsthat this will quickly contribute a significant amount of heating to theresidential interior environment, and thus defers activating the heatingunit in expectation of the heating soon to be provided by the hot-watershower. As a result, the temperature does not rise as high, as can beseen by comparing the peak temperature 2626 reached in the curve shownin FIG. 26C with the peak temperature 2622 reached in FIG. 26B.Additionally, the wasted heating cycle during the time period from times2614 to 2620 in FIG. 26B is avoided, saving energy as well as avoiding apower-on/power-off cycle of the heating unit.

The example illustrating the benefits of interior-environment awarenessby an intelligent control system shown in FIGS. 26A-G is but one ofmyriad possible examples of the benefits of interior-environmentawareness. By learning the patterns of behavior and activities ofresidents and characteristics of the controlled environment, and bydeveloping a computational model of the controlled environment, anintelligent control system, by continuously monitoring the interiorenvironment, may detect anomalies and events that correspond todangerous and hazardous aberrant conditions, including fires,malfunctioning appliances, doors left open when occupants are away forlong periods, water left running for unusual periods of time, and othersuch events. The intelligent control system can generate various typesof alarms and attempt to contact responsible parties in order to addressthe unusual, potentially hazardous conditions. Interior-environmentawareness can also, as shown in FIGS. 26A-C, lead to far more efficientand effective control of an interior environment. In another example,when the intelligent control system learns a pattern of fireplace usagein the residence depicted in FIG. 25 and knows which pathways within theresidence are currently available for transmitting heat from thefireplace to other portions of the residence, such as open doors andoperating ceiling fans, the intelligent control system may alterpatterns of heating-unit activation and the direction of heat producedby the heating unit to various parts of the residence in order tooptimally or near optimally make use of the heat that is anticipated tobe generated by the fireplace. An intelligent control system may, forexample, learn that, on weekends, from November through March, when theoutside temperature is below freezing and at least one resident is athome, the fireplace will be activated at 4:00 PM with a likelihood ofgreater than 90 percent. As a result, the intelligent control system canaccurately anticipate activation of the fireplace at 4:00 PM on the daysthat correspond to the pattern of fireplace activity and begin, prior to4:00 PM, controlling heating-unit activation and distribution of heatingto various parts of the residential unit in order to optimally ornear-optimally make use of the heat soon to be generated by thefireplace.

FIG. 27 illustrates the type of information that would be desirablyacquired and maintained, on a continuing basis, by an intelligentcontrol system for controlling the environment within a residentialunit, building, or other structure. The information may be organized, asshown in FIG. 27, by room, with a data structure, or sub-data structurefor each room in the residential unit or building. In FIG. 27, there isa data structure shown for a kitchen 2702, a living room 2704, abathroom 2706, and additional rooms ending with a final data structure2708 for a third bedroom. For each room, the heat sources 2710, heatsinks 2712, and various additional characteristics and parameters 2714are included in the information stored in the data structure. Theseentries themselves may be data structures, such as data structure 2716corresponding to the central-lighting 2718 heat source. In thecentral-lighting data structure 2716, the intelligent control systemmaintains a list of the various states of the central-lighting system2720-2721, for each state indicating the amount of energy output by thecentral-lighting system and additionally indicating the types of sensoroutputs by which the state can be detected. Various additional alarmstates 2722 may be coded as predicates 2724 comprising Booleanexpressions of combinations of states, characteristics, and sensorreadings that indicate a particular alarm condition. This is but oneexample of the types of encodings and types of interior-environmentinformation that may be created, stored, and continuously updated by anintelligent control system based on monitoring sensor input fromintelligent thermostats and other sensors within the interiorenvironment. The data illustrated in FIG. 27 is digitally encoded storedin one or more electronic memories within an intelligent thermostat aswell as within remote computers of an intelligent control system.

Unfortunately, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 25, theintelligent control system is generally constrained by the numbers andtypes of sensors included in intelligent thermostats and the generallypartial coverage of those sensors with respect to the entire controlledenvironment. For example, in FIG. 25, the closest intelligent thermostat2540 to the kitchen area does not face towards the kitchen area and isaround the corner from the door that leads into the bathroom 2504. Thus,the amount and types of information that can be acquired by anintelligent control system with respect to the kitchen and bathroom islikely to be relatively constrained in comparison to the informationthat can be acquired with regard to the living space 2514 located infront of intelligent thermostat 2540. Additionally, only a relativesmall amount of desirable information can be directly obtained throughsensor-data interpretation. For example, no combination of sensor datais likely to reveal the model number of a kitchen appliance, needed todetermine various operational characteristics of the appliance. Often,because of limited types of sensor input available to the intelligentcontrol system, the intelligent control system may need additional userinput in order to interpret sensor data. For example, an audio sensorwithin intelligent thermostat 2540 may record an output of a signalcorresponding to the sounds generated by the dishwasher 2526, sinkfaucet 2520, and shower head 2522, but is likely unable to unambiguouslydetermine that a particular pattern of audio signals corresponds to thedishwasher. The locations of the dishwasher, faucet, and shower head mayhave been determined through a configuration andinitial-information-gathering interactive session with the user, butlearning, by the intelligent control system, the patterns of audiosignals corresponding to activation of particular devices from sensordata collected during monitoring of the controlled environment mayrequire user input to identify devices responsible for particularpatterns of sensor data. Furthermore, the patterns of acoustic signalsmay change, over time, as appliances age and wear, as furniture isrearranged, and for a variety of other reasons. New appliances may bepurchased and operated, and myriad characteristics and parameters maydynamically change. Dynamic changes may include seasonal changes,diurnal changes, and changes correlated with patterns of user occupationand behaviors.

To obtain needed supplementary information in order to interpret signalsacquired through monitoring an interior environment and in order toassemble as complete an information set as possible in order tocharacterize the interior environment, the intelligent control system,to which the current application is directed, transmits informationqueries to a user. FIG. 28 illustrates the types of devices throughwhich a user may be reached by the intelligent control system. Theintelligent control system may send an information query via TCP/IP, fordisplay and user response, to an intelligent thermostat 2802, by TCP/IPto a user computer 2804, by TCP/IP over wireless communications to auser mobile phone 2806, and even by the public switched telephonenetwork to a user landline phone 2808. Information queries may beadditionally transmitted to other types of devices through which a usercan be reached. Different types of devices may be preferable indifferent circumstances. For example, for queries related to ongoingactivities and events in the residential environment, informationrequests displayed on the intelligent thermostat may be preferred, sincea user viewing and responding to such information queries is certain tobe present within the environment and in the best position to accuratelyrespond to the queries. By contrast, an information inquiry related tounusual activity observed when residents are away on vacation may bepreferably directed to a resident's cell phone. While particularuser-contact devices may be preferable for particular types ofinformation queries, such preferences may also be weighed againstuser-specified preferences with respect to times and methods forreceiving information queries from the intelligent control system aswell as, when possible, determination, by the intelligent controlsystem, on an ongoing basis, how best to transmit an information queryto a user at various different times and under various differentconditions.

FIG. 29 illustrates contact information that may be maintained by anintelligent control system in order to effectively and non-obtrusivelyobtain information about a controlled environment from users. As shownin FIG. 29, contact information may be maintained by the intelligentcontrol system for each user that can be contacted for informationconcerning a controlled environment 2902 and 2904. The information mayinclude a detailed schedule, such as schedule 2906, for each devicethrough which a user may be contacted. The schedule indicates timesduring which a user can be reached through a particular device. Theremay be different schedules for different classes of informationinquiries, such as separate schedules for routine informationcollection, critical information collection, and alarm conditions. Theremay be additional information 2908 with regard to devices preferred bythe user when the user is in different locations or engaged in differenttypes of activities. For devices that support web browsers, there may betables of web-site listings 2910-2911 that provide indications ofbrowsing activities during which the user is amenable to receivinginformation inquiries to browser pop-ups or windows. There may beadditional information regarding the types and formats of informationinquiries preferred by the user. For example, certain users may prefer asimple, terse message, such as the message “shower on in bathroom?”displayed on various devices in FIG. 28. By contrast, a user may prefermore engaging, friendly inquiries. FIGS. 30A-C illustrate friendly,engaging information inquiries displayed on a mobile phone, a webbrowser, and on an intelligent thermostat, respectively. Thisinformation may be acquired during initial configuration in aninteractive session with a user, by similar periodic interactivesessions, by tracking explicit feedback from users included ininformation-query responses, and by collecting and compiling statisticalinformation related to the rate of success achieved by different typesof user-contact methods.

The user contact information, discussed with reference to FIG. 29,information concerning the controlled environment, discussed withreference to FIG. 27, and other information components of acomputational model for a controlled environment may be stored locallyin an intelligent thermostat, stored centrally in a central-data-centercomponent of the intelligent control system, or stored in distributedfashion among various components of the intelligent control system. Theinformation is digitally encoded and stored on physical mass-storagedevices, including electromagnetic mass-storage andelectro-optico-mechanical data-storage devices.

Information queries can be displayed, and responses to the informationqueries can be received, by a wide variety of different communicationsmechanisms. The intelligent control system may employ and manage browserplug-ins for user-device web browsers, mobile-phone applications,personal-computer applications, and other such mechanisms for displayingtextural and graphical information inquiries. In addition, theintelligent control system may maintain lists of various different typesof contact information by which the intelligent control system maycontact a user using instant messaging, automated phone messages, emailmessages, and many other types of communications. The contactinformation maintained for users, illustrated in FIG. 29, may beacquired by the intelligent control system using many differenttechniques and methods. For example, the device schedules and otherinformation may be input through an intelligent thermostat using userinterfaces similar to those used to input heating and cooling schedules.Alternatively, contact-information interactive configuration-managementtools may be made available to users on personal computers, tablets, andmobile phones to allow users to initially indicate their availabilityfor responding to information inquiries from the intelligent controlsystem as well as preferred types of contact. The information may beupdated, as mentioned above, on a continuing basis, by the intelligentcontrol system based on user responses to information queries as well asdirect and indirect user feedback associated with those queries. Forexample, the queries may allow a user to indicate that it isinconvenient or impossible for the user to respond, under currentconditions, or that the user prefers some alternative type ofinformation query. Over time, user preferences and availabilities maychange, an intelligent control system can update the contact informationmaintained by users in order to track changes in user preferences andavailabilities.

The information queries sent to users may be sent from an off-sitecontrol system, from intelligent thermostats, from centralizedcommunications servers associated with the intelligent control system,or by various combinations of cooperating devices and systems. Certainclasses of information queries may be generated locally by intelligentthermostats for immediate, local responses. When residents areunavailable or elect not to respond to the information queries, theinformation queries may be discarded by the intelligent thermostat.Certain types of information queries, particularly those associated withpotentially hazardous observed conditions or activities, may betransmitted to multiple devices and periodically retried until aresponse is received.

FIGS. 31-34 provide control-flow diagrams that illustrate querying ofusers for information by an intelligent control system. FIG. 31 shows acontrol-flow diagram for an intelligent control system which includes anoffsite intelligent control system that communicates within on-siteintelligent thermostats or an on-site intelligent thermostat. Theintelligent control system is modeled as an event handler thatcontinuously waits, in step 3102, for a next sensor-detected event orexpiration of a timer associated with a deferred information query, orinformation-query-timer event, and then responds to the event ordeferred information query. When the next event is detected, theintelligent control system analyzes the event, in step 3104. Eventanalysis may involve a comparison of various types of sensor data withthe detailed information that characterizes and parameterizes thecontrolled environment, such as that shown in FIG. 27. The analysis mayresult in a precise characterization of the event, a list of possibledifferent types of events associated with the observed sensor data, ormay result in an indication of an unexpected, previously unobserved, andtherefore uninterpretable event, among possible analysis results.

When the event can be characterized to some threshold level ofcertainty, as determined in step 3106, and when there is a task for theintelligent control system associated with the event, then theintelligent control system undertakes event handling for the event instep 3106. Many different types of event handling are possible. Forexample, the occurrence of certain types of events may result inadjustment of the operational parameters associated with heating/coolingunits and other actively controlled devices and systems. Alternatively,events may result in the triggering of alarms, contact of police orsecurity organizations, and many other types ofintelligent-control-system activities. Once the event is handled, priorto handling the event, or concurrently with event handling, theintelligent control system may determine that more information relatedto the event may be useful, in step 3110. When more information from auser is determined to be potentially useful, the intelligent controlsystem constructs a list of all possible users who may be contacted asan argument, in step 3112, for calling a seek-information routine instep 3114. The seek-information routine, discussed below, attempts toobtain information from a particular user included in the list of users.The seek-information routine may determine that there are no users whocan be contacted, currently, may determine that there are no more usersto evaluate left in the list of users passed to the seek-informationroutine, or may obtain the sought information as well as feedbackconcerning the information inquiry. When the seek-information routinehas failed to obtain the information and there are no more users tocontact, as determined in step 3116, then, in step 3118, the intelligentcontrol system determines whether or not the information query isdeferrable. When collection of additional information for the event isdeferrable, the intelligent control system adds the information query toa list of deferred information queries and associates the informationquery with an appropriate timer, in step 3120, to ensure that theinformation query is subsequently reconsidered and information againsought with respect to the event. When the routine seek-information hasfailed to obtain information from a user, and there are more users toattempt to contact, as determined in step 3122, then the user from whichinformation was failed to be obtained is removed from the list of userssupplied as argument to the seek-information routine, in step 3124, andthe seek-information is then called to attempt to obtain informationfrom another user. When the information was obtained by theseek-information routine, as determined in step 3122, and when feedbackwas explicitly or implicitly associated with the user's response, asdetermined in step 3126, then the information control system calls thealter-contact-information routine in step 3128 to adjust contactinformation for the user. Once the event has been handled and anyadditional information collected or attempted to be collected, and whenthere is another event to handle that has occurred during handling ofthe event analyzed in step 3104, as determined in step 3130, thencontrol flows back to step 3104 to analyze the next event. Otherwise,control flows back to step 3102, where the intelligent control systemswaits for the occurrence of a next event.

FIG. 32 provides a control-flow diagram of the seek-information routinecalled in step 3114 of FIG. 31. In the for-loop of steps 3202-3205, theseek-information routine evaluates each user in the list of userssupplied as an argument to the routine with respect to the likelihoodthat the user is available for responding to an information queryregarding a particular event. Then, in step 3206, the seek-informationroutine calls a select user/devices/request routine in order to select aparticular user, one or more user devices, and a request type. When auser and one or more user devices and request type have been selected,as determined in step 3208, then the information control system sends aninformation request to the selected user on the one or more selecteddevices of the selected request type in step 3210. Otherwise, theseek-information routine returns an indication that there are no moreusers to attempt to contact in order to obtain information, in step3212. When an information request has been sent in step 3210, andinformation is returned by the user, as determined in step 3214, theinformation is processed in step 3216 by the intelligent control system.The types of information processing may vary depending on the type ofinformation requested and on the type of event with respect to which theinformation was requested. As discussed above, processing of theinformation may result in updating the information obtained tocharacterize and parameterize the controlled environment, discussedabove with reference to FIG. 27, and may additionally generateadditional intelligent-control-system activities. When the returnedinformation includes explicit or implicit feedback, as determined instep 3218, then an indication that feedback was received is returned instep 3220. Otherwise, an indication that information was receivedwithout feedback is returned in step 3222. When no information isobtained in response to the information query, as determined in step3214, then an indication of no information being received is returned instep 3224.

FIG. 33 provides a control-flow diagram for the selectuser/devices/request routine called in step 3206 in FIG. 32. In thefor-loop of steps 3302-3306, the select user/devices/request routineevaluates each user on the list of users generated in the for-loop ofsteps 3202-3205, in FIG. 32, to determine whether the user contactinformation associated with the user is compatible with transmitting aninformation query to the user. The list of users is evaluated indescending-likeliness-of-responding order, so that the first userassociated with contact information compatible with sending aninformation query is selected for contact, in step 3303. When acurrently evaluated user is not compatible for receiving an informationquery, as determined in step 3303, then when there are more users on thelist prepared in the for-loop of steps 3202-3205, as determined in step3304, then a list pointer is advanced, in step 3306, so that a next useron the list is evaluated in a next iteration of the for-loops of steps3302-3306. Otherwise, when there are no more users on the list, anindication that no selection was made is returned in step 3305. When auser is selected, then, in step 3308, the user's contact information isevaluated to determine one or more devices to which an information queryis sent. This determination may depend on the type of informationsought, the contact information associated with the user, and otherconsiderations. Finally, a request type is chosen for the request instep 3310, again depending on type of information, the type of requestpreferred by the user as indicated in the user's contact information,and other criteria. In step 3312, an indication of the selected user,user devices, and request type is returned.

FIG. 34 is a control-flow diagram for the alter-contact-informationroutine called in step 3128 in FIG. 31. In step 3402, the feedbackreturned along with the information in response to an information queryis evaluated. When the feedback indicates that the time at which theinformation query was sent was inappropriate, as determined in step3404, then the information control system alters contact information fora user to de-schedule the device or devices for times around the currenttime, in step 3406. When feedback indicates that the request method wasinappropriate, as determined in step 3408, then the contact informationfor the user is altered to change the preferred request type withrespect to the time and event, in step 3410. When the feedback indicatesthat the type of information sought was inappropriate, as determined instep 3412, then the user's contact information is altered to indicatethat the user is unwilling to respond to the type of information requestsent to the user, in step 3414. When the feedback information indicatesthat the device on which the user was contacted is no longer appropriatefor information queries, as determined in step 3416, then the device isremoved from the user's contact information in step 3418. When thefeedback information indicates that the dialog type of theinformation-seeking interaction with the user was inappropriate, asdetermined in step 3420, then the contact information is altered toindicate that the user prefers not to be queried using interactivedialogs, in step 3422. There are many additional types of feedback andactions related to these types of feedback possible for updating andtracking user preferences for information-query contact. Additionally,contact methods that result in lack of responses may be tabulated andcompared to contact methods for which responses are returned, in orderto learn, over time, the best ways for collecting information fromparticular users, the learning reflected in the stored contactinformation as well as in additional predicates, rules, and otherinformation that may be generated, over time, by the intelligent controlsystem. In general, the intelligent control system seeks to optimize theresponse level to information queries from users by directinginformation queries intelligently to users best able and most willing torespond to them through user devices which the users are most likely torespond to received information queries at times appropriate for theusers and using formats and styles most likely to encourage userresponses.

The subject matter of this patent specification also relates to thesubject matter of the following commonly assigned applications: U.S.Ser. No. 12/881,430 filed Sep. 14, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463 filedSep. 14, 2010; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010; U.S.Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed Dec. 31, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/984,602filed Jan. 4, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 12/987,257 filed Jan. 10, 2011; U.S.Ser. No. 13/033,573 filed Feb. 23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/386,021, filedFeb. 23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,666 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser.No. 13/034,674 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,678 filed Feb.24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/038,191 filed Mar. 1, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/038,206 filed Mar. 1, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,609 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,614 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,617 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,618 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,621 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,623 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,625 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,627 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,630 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,632 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,633 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,636 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,637 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, filed Aug. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/267,871 filed Oct. 6, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/267,877 filed Oct. 6,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501, filed Oct. 7, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/404,096 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,097 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,098 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/404,099 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,101 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,103 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/404,104 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,105 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,307 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/275,311 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,423 filed Oct. 17,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/279,151 filed Oct. 21, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/317,557 filed Oct. 21, 2011; and U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996 filedOct. 21, 2011. PCT/US11/61339 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61344 filedNov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61365 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61379 filedNov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61391 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61479 filedNov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61457 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61470 filedNov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61339 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61491 filedNov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61437 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61503 filedNov. 18, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/342,156 Filed Jan. 2, 2012;PCT/US12/00008 filed Jan. 3, 2012; PCT/US12/20088 filed Jan. 3, 2012;PCT/US12/20026 filed Jan. 3, 2012; PCT/US12/00007 filed Jan. 3, 2012;U.S. Ser. No. 13/351,688 filed Jan. 17, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/356,762filed Jan. 24, 2012; and PCT/US12/30084 filed Mar. 22, 2012. Each of theabove-referenced patent applications is incorporated by referenceherein.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of particularexamples, it is not intended that the invention be limited to theseexamples. Modifications within the spirit of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art. For example, as discussed above,information queries can be generated, transmitted, and responsesreceived by intelligent thermostats, offsite intelligent controlsystems, centralized communications systems in communication withintelligent thermostats and/or offsite intelligent control systems, andby other entities. The information queries can be used to create andmaintain any of many different types of information that characterizethe described controlled environment to facilitateintelligent-control-system control of that environment. Informationqueries may be transmitted through many different types ofcommunications media and many different types of forms that aredisplayed in many different ways to users. Implementation of user-querycomponents and subsystems can be carried out using many differentimplementation strategies and methods by selecting values for any ofmany different implementation parameters, including control structures,data structures, modular organization, programming language, underlyingoperating system, and other such implementation parameters.

It is appreciated that the previous description of the disclosedexamples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make oruse the present disclosure. Various modifications to these examples willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other examples withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown hereinbut is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand novel features disclosed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An intelligent control system comprising:one or more intelligent thermostats, located in an environmentcontrolled by the intelligent control system, the one or moreintelligent thermostats being configured to: employ sensor-basedmonitoring of the environment controlled by the intelligent controlsystem; and a centralized intelligent-control-system data centerconfigured to: maintain a list of one or more devices through whichinformation queries may be sent to one or more users; maintain personalcontact information comprising times associated with the one or moredevices during which the information queries may be sent to one or moreusers; send the information queries, according to the times, to the oneor more devices; and maintain, in one or more electronic memories, acomputational model of the environment controlled by the intelligentcontrol system, wherein maintaining the computational model is based atleast in part on: the sensor-based monitoring of the environment; andresponses to the information queries directed to the one or more users.2. The intelligent control system of claim 1 wherein the devices includeone or more of: intelligent thermostats; mobile phones; personalcomputers; and phones connected to a public switched telephone network.3. The intelligent control system of claim 1 wherein the personalcontact information includes indications of user activities associatedwith the devices that can be interrupted by the information queries. 4.The intelligent control system of claim 1 wherein the personal contactinformation includes indications of types of the information queriesthat the one or more users are willing to respond to.
 5. The intelligentcontrol system of claim 1 wherein the personal contact informationincludes indications of types of information that the one or more usersare willing to furnish to the intelligent control system in response tothe information queries.
 6. The intelligent control system of claim 1wherein the intelligent control system, as part of continuous eventhandling: determines whether additional information unavailable fromsensor data and the already-stored computational model of theenvironment is needed; and when the additional information is determinedto be needed, uses the personal contact information to select a user anda device through which the user can receive information queries, usesthe personal contact information to select a type of information querythat corresponds to the user's preferences for information queries andthat is compatible with the selected device, and transmits aninformation query of the selected type to the selected user through theselected device for the additional information.
 7. The intelligentcontrol system of claim 6 wherein the intelligent control system selectsthe user by: when information about only one user is stored in thepersonal contact information, selecting the one user; and wheninformation about multiple users is stored in the personal contactinformation, selecting a user, from among the multiple users, determinedto be most likely to respond to an information query.
 8. The intelligentcontrol system of claim 6 wherein the intelligent control system selectsthe device by: determining a device from among the devices characterizedby the personal contact information that is likely to be accessible tothe selected user at a time when the information query is transmitted.9. The intelligent control system of claim 6 wherein, by selecting theuser, device, and type of information query based on the personalcontact information, the intelligent control system optimizes, overtime, the percentage of information queries transmitted to users forwhich responses from users are received.
 10. A method of using anintelligent control system, the method comprising: employing, by one ormore intelligent thermostats located in an environment controlled by theintelligent control system, sensor-based monitoring of an environmentcontrolled by the intelligent control system; maintaining, by acentralized intelligent-control-system data center, a list of one ormore devices through which information queries may be sent to one ormore users; maintaining, by the centralized intelligent-control-systemdata center, personal contact information comprising times associatedwith the one or more devices during which the information queries may besent to one or more users; sending, by the centralizedintelligent-control-system data center, the information queries,according to the times, to the one or more devices; and maintaining, bythe centralized intelligent-control-system data center, and in one ormore electronic memories, a computational model of the environmentcontrolled by the intelligent control system, wherein maintaining thecomputational model is based at least in part on: the sensor-basedmonitoring of the environment; and responses to the information queriesdirected to the one or more users.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinthe devices include one or more of: intelligent thermostats; mobilephones; personal computers; and phones connected to a public switchedtelephone network.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the personalcontact information includes indications of user activities associatedwith the devices that can be interrupted by the information queries. 13.The method of claim 10, wherein the personal contact informationincludes indications of types of the information queries that the one ormore users are willing to respond to.
 14. The method of claim 10,wherein the personal contact information includes indications of typesof information that the one or more users are willing to furnish to theintelligent control system in response to the information queries. 15.The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining, by thecentralized intelligent-control-system data center, whether additionalinformation unavailable from sensor data and the already-storedcomputational model of the environment is needed; and when theadditional information is determined to be needed, using, by thecentralized intelligent-control-system data center, the personal contactinformation to select a user and a device through which the user canreceive information queries, using, by the centralizedintelligent-control-system data center, the personal contact informationto select a type of information query that corresponds to the user'spreferences for information queries and that is compatible with theselected device, and transmitting, by the centralizedintelligent-control-system data center, an information query of theselected type to the selected user through the selected device for theadditional information.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein selectingthe user comprises: when information about only one user is stored inthe personal contact information, selecting, by the centralizedintelligent-control-system data center, the one user; and wheninformation about multiple users is stored in the personal contactinformation, selecting, by the centralized intelligent-control-systemdata center, a user, from among the multiple users, determined to bemost likely to respond to an information query.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein selecting the device comprises: determining, by thecentralized intelligent-control-system data center, a device from amongthe devices characterized by the personal contact information that islikely to be accessible to the selected user at a time when theinformation query is transmitted.
 18. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising optimizing, over time by the centralizedintelligent-control-system data center, a percentage of informationqueries transmitted to users for which responses from users are receivedby selecting the user, device, and type of information query based onthe personal contact information.